Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro

Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was born January 27, 1756 in Salzburg and died December 5, 1791. His parents were Leopold Mozart and Anna Maria. He grew up playing the violin and a keyboard. He started composing music at the age of five and at 17 was playing for royalty. As an adult his music was very popular because it was in the classical era. He had a wife and two children. Many people say that Mozart worked was to hard which could be the reason for his success.

Musical Era

Mozart was known for his classical music. Specifically the music he composed was very popular in the 1700s. Other classical music was mostly popular from 1775-1825. Classical music was first mainly created for churches and the court but the public liked it for enjoyment and entertainment.

The Marriage of Figaro

The Marriage of Figaro is a four act opera created by Mozart. It premiered at the Burgtheater in Vienna on may first 1786. The story is about a man, Figaro, who tries to save his fiancé, Susanna, from the count who is pursuing her. He makes a plan to fool the count but fails. A women shows up with a lawyer and reveals that figaro was an abandoned baby and is the long-lost son of Bartolo and Marcellina who are also getting married, resulting in a double marriage. The count continues to seduce Susanna so the countess dresses like Susanna and meets him in the garden that night. He comes to the garden and makes a move on the girl he thinks is Susanna. She catches him cheating and reveals herself to him. He realizes that his lover is his wife but the countess forgives her husband.

The Music

The instruments in the selection are two flutes, two oboes, two clarinets, two bassoons, two horns, two trumpets, a timpani and strings. The music can also be found in entertainment (movies, tv) such as "Gross Anatomy" and "The Last Action Hero".